Michelle (6)
I thought this sweetheart had a family coming for her but she does not! PLEASE pray for her & someone needs to step forward & give her a life! she is in an institution now. From what I've heard about her, she does not seem cognitively delayed. She needs YOU!!!! Follow our example & take a leap of faith. I bet you will NEVER regret it!!!!!! I KNOW she won't!!!!
God will help you when you step out in faith. Not before but when you step out! Five weeks ago we didn't have any extra money BUT God moved when we moved!!!! Now we already have half of the money raised for our adoption! Don't be fearful, we serve a GREAT God who tells us to take care of the orphans. He will help you! We are proof of that help!!!!
You can give excuses to me and they maybe valid. Heck I have lots of excuses WHY we shouldn't, couldn't adopt any more kids....but we chose to step out and do it! You can too. You have so much to give! One day we all will stand befoe God and He will ask us what did we do "for the least of them"? What will you say???
"Our life maybe a crazy life but it's our life" I'm married to a pastor of a small rural church, who is also the prison chaplain. We have 5 kids, each with their unique story. I love gardening & we all love the outdoors. Our life is not the way we planned it to be, but we are learning to trust God in every area. Come and read about our life as we live it to the fullest!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Paper chase almost done
Years ago I watched a show on tv about young law students. I don't remember any of the plots but they studied alot, as they were chasing their degree. The name of the show was "Paper Chase" or something like that. It made me feel very grown up to watch it...
Well I am so over that!!! The last 5 weeks I have been paper chasing as hard as I could possible do it! I'm so thankful to say that on Monday everything except for our USCIS/Homeland security will be on it's way to Tallahassee to get walk thru the Apostille Dept by a friend who will then send it back to me & I'll send it to a family who lives in Texas! They are leaving to go to our children's country on Monday (after Christmas) to adopt their children! So by next Wednesday, our paperwork will be in the hands of the person who will deal with it there!
If I told you ever step that I've had to take to get to this point, you wouldn't believe it (unless you've done an international adoption) and I don't want to remember it all! LOL But I can say I have literally gone without eating several days as I just didn't have time to eat, work on paperwork & take care of my other responsibilities! I have fallen in the bed at night, and fell asleep before the lights were out! But it is so worth it!
Our children's pediatrician wrote a letter for both children asking USCIS to move our paperwork along as fast as possible. I've also contacted our senator, Marco Rubio (who I voted for) & his office has been all over this! I am hoping we will have our fingerprints done by the end of December & our clearance soon after!!
We are down to needing $13,820.25! Please note when we started 5 weeks ago we basically needed $30,000! God is good & so are His people! I am amazed at what God has done for our sweet children!
So please keep praying! There are so many things going on right now in our children's country, pray that nothing will stop their adoption. We want to be their parents & give them the love they've not had yet. When God brings them to mind, please pray...believe me you have no idea of all that could stand in their way of having their own family. I do not ask for prayer lightly, I really mean we need your prayers, thank you!
Well I am so over that!!! The last 5 weeks I have been paper chasing as hard as I could possible do it! I'm so thankful to say that on Monday everything except for our USCIS/Homeland security will be on it's way to Tallahassee to get walk thru the Apostille Dept by a friend who will then send it back to me & I'll send it to a family who lives in Texas! They are leaving to go to our children's country on Monday (after Christmas) to adopt their children! So by next Wednesday, our paperwork will be in the hands of the person who will deal with it there!
If I told you ever step that I've had to take to get to this point, you wouldn't believe it (unless you've done an international adoption) and I don't want to remember it all! LOL But I can say I have literally gone without eating several days as I just didn't have time to eat, work on paperwork & take care of my other responsibilities! I have fallen in the bed at night, and fell asleep before the lights were out! But it is so worth it!
Our children's pediatrician wrote a letter for both children asking USCIS to move our paperwork along as fast as possible. I've also contacted our senator, Marco Rubio (who I voted for) & his office has been all over this! I am hoping we will have our fingerprints done by the end of December & our clearance soon after!!
We are down to needing $13,820.25! Please note when we started 5 weeks ago we basically needed $30,000! God is good & so are His people! I am amazed at what God has done for our sweet children!
So please keep praying! There are so many things going on right now in our children's country, pray that nothing will stop their adoption. We want to be their parents & give them the love they've not had yet. When God brings them to mind, please pray...believe me you have no idea of all that could stand in their way of having their own family. I do not ask for prayer lightly, I really mean we need your prayers, thank you!
A Special Child
You weren’t like other children,
And God was well aware,
You’d need a caring family,
With love enough to share.
... And so He sent you to us,
And much to our surprise,
You haven’t been a challenge,
But a blessing in disguise.
Your winning smiles and laughter,
The pleasures you impart,
Far outweigh your special needs,
And melt the coldest heart.
We’re proud that we’ve been chosen,
To help you learn and grow,
The joy that you have brought us,
Is more than you can know.
A precious gift from Heaven,
A treasure from above,
A child who’s taught us many things,
But most of all- “Real Love”
Dedicated to Sam! Sam has taught us so much in his 7 years. I thank God for him! He has changed my life around, got my priority's on track & made me more happier than you could imagine!
If you would have told me 10 or 13 years ago that I'd have a blind, mentally delayed child & I would be the happiest I've ever been in my whole life...I'd probably not believed you! But it is the truth! Sure we've cried some tears, we have some regrets for Sam but not for us! He is a joy! Pure Joy! And he keeps my look towards heaven. I'm not satisfied with this life, I have a hope that is eternal. And one day I'll hear my little man talk & see clearly and understand. So for now we enjoy the heck out of him & look forward to THAT DAY!!!!
Thank you God for sending me the son You promised to me! He has changed me & opened my heart to love other kids that aren't "perfect" in the world's eyes but perfect in our eyes!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Seth Job Clanton
Seth is officially on the Reece's Rainbow page "My Family found Me" so I can now publish his picture!!!!! We are looking forward to day that we can hold this little guy and take care of him! Please pray that all the paperwork moves quickly for these two precious children!!!!!
Paper chasing.... still
Sitting here waiting for our notary friend to come by and redo the last 4 pages on our dossier:) Still waiting for my homestudy, which is waiting for Jon's medical (for some reason they didn't check the paper for an HIV test and it had to be redone) Then we still wait on the USCIS (homeland security/immigration) background. As soon as I get my homestudy in hand, I'm going to be calling my senator to ask for the paperwork to be expiated!
We sent in the commitment pledge of $1000 for Dmitiry/Seth Can't wait until we are officially matched on Reece's Rainbow and are able to put up his picture too!!!
We are working on all the funding, have some letters/emails out, knowing that the God of this Universe will provide for these kids!!!!
This is the most emotional thing I have ever done in my life. We didn't have to be vulnerable and love these kid but we made the choice to and it hurts. It hurts because we care for them and want to take away their hurt and give them love and a full belly, and we can't yet. We have a son like them, we know their vulnerability and needs, probably more than most. It's hard because we know how loving we've taken care of Sam since his first breath. We've taken him to every specialist and tried to meet all his needs and anticipate his wants as he doesn't communicate verbally. So it hurts to think of two children, lost in a dark world with no one to be their parents. Oh God protect them until we can be there for them!
Please pray for them whenever you think of them.
We sent in the commitment pledge of $1000 for Dmitiry/Seth Can't wait until we are officially matched on Reece's Rainbow and are able to put up his picture too!!!
We are working on all the funding, have some letters/emails out, knowing that the God of this Universe will provide for these kids!!!!
This is the most emotional thing I have ever done in my life. We didn't have to be vulnerable and love these kid but we made the choice to and it hurts. It hurts because we care for them and want to take away their hurt and give them love and a full belly, and we can't yet. We have a son like them, we know their vulnerability and needs, probably more than most. It's hard because we know how loving we've taken care of Sam since his first breath. We've taken him to every specialist and tried to meet all his needs and anticipate his wants as he doesn't communicate verbally. So it hurts to think of two children, lost in a dark world with no one to be their parents. Oh God protect them until we can be there for them!
Please pray for them whenever you think of them.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
For all you who thought I was a saint...I ain't LOL
Today has been crazy...got LOTS of work done on the adoption. I'm trying to make sure everything is in for the homestudy, do the USCIS/Homeland Security stuff & the "pre dossier" and the dossier....and raise money ALL at the same time. All are inter related yet separate... Then today the "pre dossier" (for lack of a better term) changed. Well I hadn't done it yet anyhow, I was waiting for the change BUT there came an urgency with the change to get certain documents in. Just so you know getting an adoption document in, doesn't just mean signing it and mailing it...OH NO that would be TOO easy! It means signing it, getting it notarized, faxing it to the agency for approval, getting approved and then sending it to Tallahassee for it to be "apostilled" a fancy name for the notary's seal to be verified ON EACH SHEET OF PAPER!!!! For a charge of course! Then it has to be sent back to us, mailed to the agency and sent to the country!! So I'm stressing!
Then to finish up the paperwork for our homestudy that might be finsihed by Monday I had to drive to Tampa, find the Dept of Children & Families to get our child abuse clearance...(to make sure we haven't been abusing our kids. My son threatened me and told me I had to get him pizza or he'd tell on me lol since he is way bigger than me....)
So I FINALLY find the place and as I'm getting my documents out of the van, a older lady pulls up and tells me "you are in a handicapped parking spot" I said "i know" and just continue getting my stuff. She then told me to move. Ok I sorta lost it at that point and I told her in a slightly louder than normal voice that I have a handicapped child in the car & would she like to see his Florida ID????? THEN she says "lady you don't hae to get all huffy & be rude to me" At that point I reminded her who began the conversation..... She moved. Then I saw her come in the office I was in and go in the employee door....don't you LOVE state workers like that? Reminds me of bratty girls who loved to tell on other children to get them in trouble (and yes I have someone in mind as I write LOLOL)
Anyhow just wanted all my new readers know I'm not always a saint:) What a day!!!!! And I still have stuff to do tonight, I feel like I have a paper to write (even tho it's not that bad) Then Jon & I have early medical appointments in the morning, then I'm sending in our commitment promise on Seth, Steve has to get his bottom braces, we have a ton of stuff to get notarized, faxed and checked. I'm going to wait to over night it to my friend in Tallahassee who is going to walk it through the appostille process and send it back the same day, till I get the homestudy so it can all go together. so many things to come together in the next few days.....
BTW, we did get pizza tonight in Tampa, a Pizza Hut right next to an adult bookstore....what a day!!!! But we are doing it all for two little ones so it's worth it!!!
Then to finish up the paperwork for our homestudy that might be finsihed by Monday I had to drive to Tampa, find the Dept of Children & Families to get our child abuse clearance...(to make sure we haven't been abusing our kids. My son threatened me and told me I had to get him pizza or he'd tell on me lol since he is way bigger than me....)
So I FINALLY find the place and as I'm getting my documents out of the van, a older lady pulls up and tells me "you are in a handicapped parking spot" I said "i know" and just continue getting my stuff. She then told me to move. Ok I sorta lost it at that point and I told her in a slightly louder than normal voice that I have a handicapped child in the car & would she like to see his Florida ID????? THEN she says "lady you don't hae to get all huffy & be rude to me" At that point I reminded her who began the conversation..... She moved. Then I saw her come in the office I was in and go in the employee door....don't you LOVE state workers like that? Reminds me of bratty girls who loved to tell on other children to get them in trouble (and yes I have someone in mind as I write LOLOL)
Anyhow just wanted all my new readers know I'm not always a saint:) What a day!!!!! And I still have stuff to do tonight, I feel like I have a paper to write (even tho it's not that bad) Then Jon & I have early medical appointments in the morning, then I'm sending in our commitment promise on Seth, Steve has to get his bottom braces, we have a ton of stuff to get notarized, faxed and checked. I'm going to wait to over night it to my friend in Tallahassee who is going to walk it through the appostille process and send it back the same day, till I get the homestudy so it can all go together. so many things to come together in the next few days.....
BTW, we did get pizza tonight in Tampa, a Pizza Hut right next to an adult bookstore....what a day!!!! But we are doing it all for two little ones so it's worth it!!!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Good News
Just a short blog to let you know how things are going. On Monday a dear couple gave us a gift of $1000 towards our adoption. Then on Tuesday a close friend & her hubby gave us a gift of $1000! So today is Wednesday and I'm still waiting for my daily $1000 gift to our adoption:) God is good and so are His people!!!!
Reece's Rainbow has given us permission to commitment to the little boy! They are not confident that we will be approved but we are going to do all our paperwork and pray that the country will grant us favor! I'll be sending in our commitment fee & then I can officially post his picture on here!!!!! We are willing to be his parents if God will grant us the favor of the government !!! Please pray, he's been listed for over 3 years, is in the same mental institution as Sarah and only 5 yrs old. We want to give him a wonderful life with lots of love, something he has never had. We've seen a few pictures of him and he is never smiling...Jon said he can't wait to tickle him till he laughs a belly laugh" We want to bring laughter into his life...pray that we will be able to!!!!!
Doing paper chasing every day. I write a 3 day list at a time and make sure I can mark all the things off on a daily basis for example my list thus far has been....
Monday-
Set up Physicals
write & print the adoption appeal letter
get a copy of deed on property
Tuesday-
Go to Bartow pick up birth certificates & marriage certificates
Balance & enter all transactions on the adoption gifts, make copies and file receipts
Wednesday
Talk to Social Worker
email RR
fill out INS
As you can see somethings require many steps but thankfully I've met my goals for the past 3 days! And still have done all my other chores like laundry , cleaning & eyedrops! Please pray that I can stay focused and get done what I need to do!
Tomorrow I am going to Tampa to find the children & Family office to get our Abuse clearance backgrounds done. I think it will be faster to hand walk it through!!!!
So right now this is my life....can't wwait till the paperwork is done!!!!
Reece's Rainbow has given us permission to commitment to the little boy! They are not confident that we will be approved but we are going to do all our paperwork and pray that the country will grant us favor! I'll be sending in our commitment fee & then I can officially post his picture on here!!!!! We are willing to be his parents if God will grant us the favor of the government !!! Please pray, he's been listed for over 3 years, is in the same mental institution as Sarah and only 5 yrs old. We want to give him a wonderful life with lots of love, something he has never had. We've seen a few pictures of him and he is never smiling...Jon said he can't wait to tickle him till he laughs a belly laugh" We want to bring laughter into his life...pray that we will be able to!!!!!
Doing paper chasing every day. I write a 3 day list at a time and make sure I can mark all the things off on a daily basis for example my list thus far has been....
Monday-
Set up Physicals
write & print the adoption appeal letter
get a copy of deed on property
Tuesday-
Go to Bartow pick up birth certificates & marriage certificates
Balance & enter all transactions on the adoption gifts, make copies and file receipts
Wednesday
Talk to Social Worker
email RR
fill out INS
As you can see somethings require many steps but thankfully I've met my goals for the past 3 days! And still have done all my other chores like laundry , cleaning & eyedrops! Please pray that I can stay focused and get done what I need to do!
Tomorrow I am going to Tampa to find the children & Family office to get our Abuse clearance backgrounds done. I think it will be faster to hand walk it through!!!!
So right now this is my life....can't wwait till the paperwork is done!!!!
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